ABS data highlights confidence

The Tasmanian Government remains focused on growing our economy, getting more Tasmanians back into work and rebuilding a stronger Tasmania.

ABS preliminary construction work data released today shows that Tasmania had the highest growth of any state in the December 2020 quarter, growing 7 per cent in real seasonally adjusted terms.

This comprised strong growth in the

engineering and building sectors, with Tasmania also leading the states in engineering work, growing 12.1 per cent in the December 2020 quarter.

In another strong sign of confidence in our building and construction sector, over $1.8 billion in building work was completed in 2020, an increase of 5 per cent on the previous year.

These results do not happen by accident and are the result of our Plan to grow the economy and create jobs. Our Construction Blitz and successful Homebuilder program is stimulating construction activity across the State and growing aggregate demand in our economy.

HomeBuilder is leading to more jobs, with construction-related job vacancies nearly doubling over the year. In December 2020, job vacancies for machinery operators and drivers grew 96 per cent over the year, while job vacancies for labourers grew 83 per cent over the year. These are the highest and second highest, respectively annual growth rates seen in the nation.

The 2020-21 State Budget provides a landmark $5 billion infrastructure program across the next four years to support around 25,000 jobs. It backs Tasmanian businesses by making it easier for them to employ, with a $22 million investment to significantly boost jobs for apprentices, trainees and youth employees.